Flonase Warnings and Precautions

Before using Flonase, warnings and precautions for the medicine should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Flonase is a steroid that can suppress the immune system and increase your risk for infections. The drug can also suppress the body's ability to make natural steroids and slow the growth rate of children. Do not take Flonase if you are allergic to any components of the nasal spray.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Specific Precautions and Warnings for Flonase

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Flonase include the following:

Flonase is a steroid and may suppress the immune system. Although this is more likely to occur with oral steroids, it is still possible with nasal steroids (such as Flonase). Taking steroids may put you at a higher risk for infections. Certain infections (such as chickenpox or the measles) may be more dangerous if you are taking Flonase. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you are exposed to chickenpox or the measles (if you have not had these infections and have not been vaccinated against them). Rarely, Flonase can lead to yeast infections in the nose and throat (as a result of a suppressed immune system).

If you are switching from an oral steroid to Flonase (which is a nasal steroid), your healthcare provider should slowly decrease your dose of the oral steroid. Stopping an oral steroid too quickly can be very dangerous.

Flonase can suppress the body's ability to make natural steroids. Usually, this happens when too much Flonase is taken (or when a drug interaction with Flonase occurs). In such circumstances, Flonase should be stopped very slowly, to give your body a chance to begin making natural steroids again.

Like all steroids, Flonase may slow down the growth rate of children and teenagers. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you are concerned about a slow growth rate in your child.

Flonase can cause glaucoma or cataracts (conditions of the eyes), or may make these conditions worse.

Before starting Flonase, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you currently have any type of infection. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you have ever had tuberculosis or a herpes infection of the eye, as Flonase may weaken the immune system, allowing these infections to worsen.

Corticosteroids (such as Flonase) can slow healing. Therefore, if you have had recent nasal surgery or nasal sores, you should wait until healing has occurred before taking Flonase.

Flonase is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not currently known (see Flonase and Pregnancy).

It is unknown whether fluticasone propionate (the active ingredient of Flonase) passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Flonase and Breastfeeding).

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